The medium of documentary film has been utilized to tell all kinds of stories, bringing the importance of various viewpoints to the forefront of viewers' minds. Since the beginning of film itself, documentary-style movies have existed as the primary vessel for storytelling. As the decades have passed, these tales have come to the light much more easily, thanks to technological advances and the progression of camera quality. In recent years, the conversation surrounding them has somewhat shifted thanks to the growing global power of streaming services. According to an article from the Hollywood Reporter, "If cinema is our most powerful art form, I would argue that documentary is both its beating heart and its conscience... Documentary film is a form that allows us to walk in another’s shoes, to build a sense of shared humanity."

In the era of streaming services, documentaries often hail from these production houses instead of solely coming from cable networks and independent journalism. Shudder is perhaps the best streaming service that centers around horror media. With hundreds of selections, from revived classic TV shows to beloved horror franchises, Shudder tells spooky stories with great success. The streaming service is home to original in-house documentaries as well as deep dives from other sources that are amplified by online accessibility. With that said, let's count down the best documentaries on Shudder, ranked.

6 The Found Footage Phenomenon

A scene from The Found Footage Phenomenon.
Shudder

The Found Footage Phenomenon explores the ins and outs of the found footage subgenre within horror, diving deep into the origins of why these stories work so well. This Shudder original follows the past of the world of found footage, which began with the 1999 release of The Blair Witch Project, and its odyssey into the present. Since then, found footage has been heralded as an extremely impactful way to tell a horror story and make it feel more realistic. The Found Footage Phenomenon delves into interviews with directors in the subgenre, including Eduardo Sánchez and Michael Goi, and is written and directed by Sarah Appleton and Philip Escott.

5 Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror

A scene from Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror.
Shudder & Severin Films

Curious about how folk horror got its start and turned into one of the spookiest subgenres of horror today? Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror offers all kinds of insight. Before there was Midsommar or The Witch, movies like The Wicker Man explored this flavor of film for the first time. Tracing the beginnings of folk horror from the '60s and '70s well into the atmospheric gems of the modern day, this documentary follows cross-cultural commentary and terrifying tales of old translated onto the big screen. According to its website, the film "investigates the many ways that we alternately celebrate, conceal and manipulate our own histories in an attempt to find spiritual resonance in our surroundings."

4 In Search of Darkness: A Journey into Iconic '80s Horror

Cassandra Peterson in In Search of Darkness: A Journey into Iconic '80s Horror.
Shudder

In Search of Darkness: A Journey Into Iconic '80s Horror follows the renaissance of horror within this fondly-remembered decade. The '80s saw all kinds of horror come to the surface of the genre, bringing familiar stories to audiences for the very first time. True to its title, the documentary invites horror landmarks of that era – including Greg Nicotero, John Carpenter, and Cassandra Peterson – to talk about their experiences. Through this film, audiences get a sense of the genre's influence on cinema throughout time and why this decade specifically was so phenomenal for horror. The film was produced by CreatorVC Studios and written and directed by David A. Weiner.

Related: 10 Most Frightening Horror Movies From the '80s

3 Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist

The cast of The Exorcist in Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist.
Shudder

Still to this day, The Exorcist is regarded as one of the most shocking films in all of horror history. Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist travels back to that infamous foggy night and explores the movie's production history from the perspective of the titular director. Friedkin details the inner workings of his creative career, his inspirations while filming, and how The Exorcist truly led the charge for his continued success as a filmmaker. The documentary is written and directed by Alexandre O. Philippe, who truly brings the backstory of the equally loved and feared original film to life.

2 Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street

Mark Patton in Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street.
Virgil Films

Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street cuts open the campy horror at the heart of the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. Offering a realistic and personal perspective, the film follows the story of Mark Patton, who starred in A Nightmare on Elm Street II: Freddy's Revenge – a film known for its homoerotic commentary. As a gay man in the closet, Patton's budding career was essentially slashed by homophobic attitudes when the sequel came out. The documentary compares the film's reputation back then to the beloved franchise it is today, especially among queer horror fans. The story turns from tragic to hopeful, reclaiming the negative narrative that was thrust upon Patton back in the day as he stepped into his authentic self.

Related: Shudder's Queer for Fear: Everything We Know About the LGBTQ+ Docuseries

1 Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror

Tony Todd in Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror.
Shudder

Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror dives deep into the plethora of horror stories told by Black filmmakers. The skeleton of this documentary comes from Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to Present, a piece of historical nonfiction written by Robin R. Means Coleman. The film is directed by Xavier Burgin. Most horror fans recognize the importance of horror movies that center on Black stories, like Get Out and Candyman, but this film outlines the true impact and history behind these beloved tales. With interviews from Jordan Peele, Tony Todd, and other big names in horror, this documentary is an essential commentary on the influence of race in film.